Charlotte, NCPie Shops

Villani's Bakery is a New York-Italian style bakery on Pecan Avenue with a walk-up window, where a slice of blueberry or lemon meringue pie comes with a cup of the house specialty coffee, a doppio or a mocha breve. Order the lemon meringue with a doppio.

Carolina Pie Company is a Mooresville pie shop from a family that has been baking for three generations, turning out full size and mini pies. The frozen margarita pie, spiked with tequila and orange liqueur, is a menu favorite, and a strawberry peach pie joins the case in season. Order the frozen margarita pie.

The Batch House on Berryhill Road is where baker Cristina Roja Agurcia sells her pies as The Batchmaker, among them key lime, brown butter pumpkin and chocolate bourbon pecan. Order the chocolate bourbon pecan.

Picadeli's Pub-in-Deli is a Matthews family restaurant for eating in or taking out, and dessert belongs on the order either way: a slice of peanut butter pie, a flavor that turns up across Matthews dessert menus. Order the peanut butter pie.

Sunflour Baking Company is a Parrish family bakery that has served Charlotte since 2009 and has grown to several shops, and its pie is a key lime, sold in 4-inch and 8-inch sizes, with gluten-free versions available. Order the 8-inch key lime.